We’re all lovers of the countryside here. But respecting it is even more important which is why the Countryside Code is in place. As much as we are massive advocates of getting out and about in the countryside, it’s essential we remember that what we do on our rural travels can affect the lives and livelihoods of those that live and work in rural communities. The Countryside Code is just closing the odd gate, right? Wrong! It’s actually a detailed code of conduct, which, as lovers of the great outdoors, we should all be aware of and adhere to at all times. Let’s take a look at the finer detail of the big countryside rule book.

It’s the start of a New Year, and with that comes the prospect of new adventures. And with new adventure comes a need for new kit! Out with the old and in with the new and all that! Now is the time to start planning what you need for the year ahead. Even if you have a decent supply from previous years, there will no doubt be little extras you’ll need, or stuff you’ve been meaning to treat yourself to. So why not make it your New Year’s resolution to indulge yourself with some of these little beauties…?

As much as we love getting back to nature, there’s something about outdoor technology that, well, pushes our buttons! We love being a great outdoors technology geek: after all, anything that makes life easier and helps us enjoy the outdoors even more can only be a good thing, right? So, as it’s almost the start of a brand new year, it’s time to get familiar with some brand new technology. Here are our top techy picks for your outdoor adventures in 2019…

Christmas camping? It may sound like a novel idea, but if you’re a seasoned camper and well prepared, where better to spend the festive season than in your favourite environment? Let’s take a look at some brilliant Christmas camping ideas and recommendations to really get you into the festive outdoor spirit…

There’s a chilly snap in the morning air. A crunch underfoot. The leaves on the trees are golden, russet and red and shimmering in the low autumn sun. It can only mean one thing for the warm weather camper… time to pack the gear away till next year! And the key to ensuring successful adventures next year – and in years to come – is to make sure we store our camping gear with care. Ready to house your outdoor adventure gear for the winter? Follow our guide!

One of the joys of walking in the countryside is being surrounded by wildlife. When walking in rural areas, we can both expect to see and enjoy seeing various animals, especially livestock. Cows, horses and sheep are all part of working country life, and although it’s a joy to be around such creatures, it can also be a little unnerving at times and there are certain things you need to know. It’s important to be mindful of livestock when out walking, but if you follow a few simple rules, there’s no reason why you can’t enjoy a meadow walk or a stroll amongst the livestock in peace. After all, we can all get on, man and beast!

If you’ve got any time in the great outdoors planned over the next few months, how good would it be to have some basic bushcraft skills down pat before you go? Unless you’ve been on a bushcraft course or have studied everything ever written by Ray or Bear, chances are you’ll be lacking the fundamentals, and bushcraft really is something that can benefit everyone, whether you’re wild camping, overlanding or on a country hike. So, to your back gardens all! It’s time to get some skills under your belts before you head off out.

As an outdoors lover, you’re no doubt aware of the scale of the single use plastic problem. We’ve all seen the disturbing posts on social media, and with everyone from Surfers Against Sewage to the Women’s Institute on the case against single use plastics, it’s never far from the mind’s eye. But aside from switching to reusable drinking straws and a water flask, there is something else that you can do to help the plastic problem. While you’re out and about enjoying the great outdoors… please pick up some plastic!

There’s something wonderfully freeing about sleeping in the open air. Combine this with spending an outdoor night in a hammock, and you’re in for a real treat of a sleep! Whether you’re a seasoned camper, or enjoy a peaceful night under the stars in your own back garden, it’s well worth considering the relaxing experience of sleeping in a hammock. But don’t just take our word for it; people have been sleeping in hammocks for centuries, and here’s why…

For many of us outdoors lovers, being in amongst woodland comes as second nature. Indeed for many, outdoors types or not, spending time in the fresh air and being at one with nature is considered beneficial and enjoyable. But what if there was even more you could do in the great outdoors? Here are some of our favourite woodland activity suggestions to help you do just that. So, if you go down to the woods today, you might just find yourself a little surprised by what you can learn…

Wildlife is one of the joys of the great outdoors, and spring is a wonderful time to get up close and personal with the creatures we share the world with. If you love getting to know the animals and birds in your favourite outdoor spaces, why not become a nature hero and “BioBlitz” your findings while you’re at it?

It’s natural to associate the winter months and rainy days with colds and flu-like bugs. But actually it’s being indoors in warm environments where bacteria thrives that tends to lead to catching the lurgy. So why not make sure your kids are wrapped up warm and guarded against chills, then get them outside to play? The benefits are many, and even the Royals are at it.

It’s that time of year when we have everything to look forward to, and when the programmes for all the events centred on all we adore start being released. We’ve gathered up a selection of what we think look like THE do-not-miss happenings so far for 2018. See what you think, and if you have any suggestions of your own, please head over to our Facebook page and share them!

Ever wondered why it feels so good to go into the woods? Why it seems so magical? Well maybe it’s because the stuff of legends is born there. What do we mean? Well, if you go down to the woods today, you’re more than likely stepping into a setting of myth and legend. In the deepest, darkest depths of the forest, there lives many a tale of intrigue and magic, all waiting to be discovered. So we’ve done a bit of research, and just for you here is a rundown of what we’ve come up with as a top five of where to discover those mythical, magical fantasy woodland worlds.

So, it seems the science boffins have managed to prove what us outdoor lovers have known for ages: spending time in nature does wonders for your health and mental well-being! With everything from reduced stress to improved short term memory, it seems there is a lot to be said for ‘nature therapy’. Here’s why you can safely tell your friends and family that being outdoors is THE way to spend the forthcoming year.

Whether you’re looking to buy for someone who, like you, loves the great outdoors, or hoping to leave a not-so-subtle Christmas list of your own lying around where a potential gift-giver might find it, there are some excellent bits of kit and experiences out there which any outdoor enthusiast would love to find under the tree this Christmas. Here we explore the best of them.

Let’s not deny it, the chilly part of the year is creeping in. For most people, it’s time to cosy up in front of a roaring fire and crank up the thermostat. But hey, when have we ever been most people?! Oh yes, we adore the outdoors so much that nothing – no NOTHING – is going to stop us enjoying getting outside of these four walls. Of course though, if you’re off on a winter camper-vanning expedition, there are plenty of things you’re going to need to think about before the off. Cue relevant tips and advice from your ever-helpful outdoor know-it-alls!

You always know it’s autumn when it suddenly becomes crunchy underfoot, and you find yourself having to dodge falling (or squirrel-dropped) objects hurtling down from the treetops above. It gets you to thinking, of all these forest goodies that are making their way southwards from the trees at this time of year, are there any that could be put to good use? Instead of crunching them into the ground, isn’t there something useful we could be doing with nature’s autumn gifts? Well yes indeedy there is! Read on for this month’s useful foraging facts!

Oh how we adore this time of year in the woods! Late summer to early autumn paints a spectacular splash of colour across the canopies as the fruits and berries start ripening. And how tasty they look! Of course, we have to take great care to avoid the forbidden fruits, but we can’t overlook the fact that much of what nature grows for us is brimming with flavour and goodness. But what to do once you’ve plucked your fill? Here we take a look at three great things you can concoct in your kitchen following a forest foraging expedition, and yes, acorns ARE included!

It’s summertime – yay!! So now we’re fully out and about and enjoying what nature intended, it kind of puts all that screen time we hankered over when we were stuck indoors on a backburner. But hang on, what are we thinking? Technology may not be so much of a bad thing after all, because whilst we’re outdoors, couldn’t we be using it to our advantage to help us discover more about our surroundings? Oh yes we can! Apps ahoy, let’s have a look at what there is out there to help us learn while we explore.

Last month we welcomed spring by taking a look at ways to restore your key camping paraphernalia should it emerge from its winter storage looking not quite its best. Our two-part series started with tips on how to revive and re-waterproof a mould-ridden tent and, as promised, this time around we are going to move our focus on to other very important bits of camping kit: your boots, your sleeping bag and your cooking gear.

It’s finally here… the season we’ve all been eagerly awaiting has arrived and we’re all set and raring to go. Or are we? If you’ve just pulled out your outdoor gear, only to find it’s not quite looking as shiny and new as you seem to have remembered when you put it away, you’re going to need a spot of advice to get it back where it should be so that it serves you well through another summer. In this two-part blog series we offer up some tips on restoring your key camping paraphernalia, as well as steps to take before you stash it away again at the end of the season so that next time it sees the light, you haven’t got such a task on your hands. Here we start with the piece of kit that tends to take the biggest battering… the tent.

Flicking through the channels on the TV, there appears to be an abundance of wilderness survival programmes on the schedule these days. Whilst the skills the experts teach us are spot-on, in reality you have to think, how many times will I actually be in a position where I need to lick a frog? Extreme survival is one thing, but what would you do if you got lost whilst out on a hike, or your car broke down on the edge of a forest in the middle of nowhere? Your phone isn’t giving you a signal or the battery has died. What you need in these circumstances are basic, down to earth survival skills, which are precisely what we’re going to look at here.

Are you into camping and spending quality time outdoors, but feel a bit frustrated with the way it has become over-commercialised? Maybe the outdoor life has become a bit too fashionable, what do you think? Perhaps there’s been so much hype around spending time in nature that the great outdoors has become just a bit too much of a convenience? If you, like us, appreciate the true beauty of spending time outdoors, but you prefer it with just a handful of creature comforts and basic services, you are probably wondering where you can pitch your tent without getting into trouble. Well, here’s the solution!